Have you ever wondered what kind of "magic" is behind the automatic toll deduction with a "beep" from the ETC device when you drive
through a highway toll booth? And what kind of mystery is it that when you pick up a piece of clothing in a clothing store filled with a
dazzling variety of items, the screen in the fitting room immediately displays all its available colors and sizes? Behind all of this, there is an
indispensable "invisible" hero — RFID technology.
RFID is the abbreviation of Radio Frequency Identification. Its core principle is actually very simple—it is similar to the familiar barcode
scanning, but represents a significant leap forward. Imagine a barcode as a "mute" poster: it must be "seen" (scanned) up close with a barcode
scanner to retrieve information. In contrast, an RFID tag is like a tiny "smart transponder." It mainly consists of two parts:
Chip: Used to store information, such as an item’s unique serial number, production date, batch number, etc.
Antenna: Used to receive and transmit radio signals.
The working process of the entire system is as follows: A device called a reader/writer emits radio waves of a specific frequency. RFID tags
within the range of this wave’s energy (which can vary from a few centimeters to over ten meters) are "activated." After the tag’s antenna
receives the energy, it powers the chip to send the stored information back to the reader via radio waves. Finally, the reader decodes the
information and transmits it to a computer system for processing.
No Line of Sight Required: Unlike barcodes, there is no need for precise alignment. It can identify items through non-metallic materials such as paper, wood, and plastic.
Bulk Reading Capability: It can read dozens or even hundreds of tags simultaneously, achieving extremely high efficiency.
Writable Data: Information can not only be read but also written and modified multiple times, enabling dynamic updates.
High Durability: Tags can be encapsulated in various forms, with resistance to water, magnetism, and high temperatures, making them adaptable to harsh environments.
Fast-fashion brands such as Uniqlo and ZARA are loyal users of RFID technology. Each piece of clothing is stitched with an RFID tag, making
inventory counting more efficient than ever before—employees only need to walk around with a reader, and all product information is
collected instantly with extremely low errors. In fitting rooms, the reader next to the mirror can automatically identify the clothes you bring in,
recommend matching items, and even notify staff to deliver the right sizes. Smart checkout further enables a "take-and-go" experience:
products in the shopping cart are instantly identified and automatically deducted from the payment.
On the parcel sorting lines of logistics giants, RFID systems can automatically identify the destination of parcels, enabling high-speed
automated sorting—its accuracy and speed far exceed manual operations. In warehouses, the management of inbound and outbound goods
has also become fully automated, allowing managers to have a complete overview of inventory right from their computers.
On the production lines of modern factories, every component, every pallet, and every AGV (Automated Guided Vehicle) can be attached with
an RFID tag. The tag records information such as processing steps, quality inspection data, and the next workstation it should flow to. As a
result, the entire production line becomes an intelligent entity capable of self-perception and real-time adjustment, realizing highly flexible
production and full-process traceability.
Airports attach RFID baggage tags to suitcases, allowing real-time tracking of baggage location and significantly reducing the rate of lost
luggage.
New-generation passports and ID cards have built-in RFID chips that store the holder’s biometric information. This not only facilitates
machine reading to improve customs clearance efficiency but also enhances anti-counterfeiting performance.
Rice-sized RFID chips are implanted under pets’ skin, serving as their unique electronic IDs. If a pet gets lost, scanning the chip can help find
its owner.
Electronic ear tags are attached to livestock such as cattle and sheep to track information including their health status, epidemic prevention
records, and origin. This effectively prevents and controls epidemics (such as foot-and-mouth disease and mad cow disease) and is also key to
realizing agricultural product traceability. When you buy beef, you may be able to scan a QR code to view its entire journey from the ranch to
the dining table—behind this is RFID recording information at key nodes.
RFID enables quick location of medical equipment to avoid loss. After surgical instrument sets are sterilized, RFID tags are attached to them to
ensure sterility and complete equipment, thus safeguarding surgical safety.
RFID wristbands are worn by newborns and critically ill patients to prevent misidentification and monitor their location and vital signs in real
time.
RFID technology is deeply integrating with the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, and artificial intelligence (AI), becoming increasingly powerful
and intelligent. In future smart cities, everything—from street lamps to trash cans—may have an RFID "ID card," enabling an unprecedented
level of refined management.
Of course, any technology is a double-edged sword. The widespread application of RFID has also raised concerns about privacy security and
data security (for instance, the risk of tag information being maliciously read). Therefore, while advancing the technology, it is equally
important to formulate strict laws, regulations, and security standards.
